The study shows that the national standard for wind nuisance is exceeded on the place in question. According to dr. ir. Bert Blocken of Building Physics and Systems this is due to the position of this entrance being a continuation of the open space between the Matrix and Helix buildings. It has been discussed with the Accommodation Department whether it is possible to reposition this entrance; the inspection shows that the problem will be solved by shifting the entrance to the east.

After the announcement of the design of the new W-hall the Accommodation Department has asked the Department of Architecture, Building and Planning to conduct a study into risks of wind nuisance in the new configuration. This study was conducted as a final assignment by student of Architecture, Building and Planning Wendy Janssen, accompanied in this project by PhD candidate ir. Twan van Hooff under the auspices of Blocken.

Wind nuisance is created when a hard wind is reinforced by the presence of high buildings: the fast-moving air collides with the building at a certain height and is deflected downwards, or the air squeezes through a narrow opening between two buildings, causing the wind speed to increase considerably.

As a result, the wind force may triple in comparison with the open field, which can lead to hazardous situations. Blocken: “In Great Britain cases have occurred where people who had difficulty walking died because they were blown over by the wind. It can strike very suddenly when you turn a corner, for instance.”

Wind nuisance standard
The Netherlands is the first country boasting an official standard for wind nuisance, since 2006. Before that time uniform criteria were lacking. According to Blocken the standard does not have any legislative force, but may still be relevant in legal cases. That lawsuits concerning wind nuisance are by no means imaginary, is proved by the legal action instituted by shopkeepers in the shopping center along Nieuwe Emmasingel in Eindhoven against construction firm Heijmans, occasioned by customers staying away due to wind nuisance.

On the TU/e campus there are windy places as well, which have been made visible impeccably by the final study conducted by Janssen: the corner of Vertigo, where bikes are blown over regularly, the entrance to the Hoofdgebouw (between the pillars) and, as noted, the area where the market place has been planned. The Accommodation Department is going to use the results of the study to shape the design of the market place further as part of the green carpet. (TJ)/.